Budget: Special focus on prevention of diseases like diabetes and cancer, government will spend Rs 10,000 crore

In response to the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart, kidney and liver diseases in the country, the government will invest Rs 10,000 crore in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors over the next five years. To prevent these diseases, the government will focus on screening and early treatment so that people's ability to protect themselves from these diseases is strengthened.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech in the Lok Sabha on Sunday that the burden of diseases in the country is continuously increasing and now non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver diseases are dominant. Therefore, the government's focus will be on prevention, screening and early treatment to strengthen the public's ability to protect themselves from these diseases.

The Finance Minister said that Rs 10,000 crore will be spent on the development of the biopharmaceutical sector over the next five years. Its purpose is to make research, innovation, vaccine development, and the latest treatment competitive globally. Additionally, three new National Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NPER) institutions will be established to promote the development of standard expertise, modern laboratory facilities and global skills in pharmaceutical education and research.

Sitharaman said that due to continuous reforms and policies, the country has achieved a high growth rate of 7 percent. India is now moving confidently towards a developed India and this journey will continue. The Finance Minister said that with self-reliance as a guiding principle, the government has strengthened domestic manufacturing capability and energy conservation, reducing dependence on imports. Reforms have been made to increase employment, agricultural productivity, domestic purchasing power and global services. These measures have made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving people's standard of living.